The Russian embassy in France said the seizure was “another case of piracy” and “illegal and unacceptable from the point of view of international law”.

A suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker was boarded and diverted by the French Navy in the Mediterranean off Sicily, officials announced. On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron stated on social media that the French Navy had intercepted the tanker MT Deliver (IMO 9194983, MMSI 613471908)on Tuesday while it was transiting off the coast of Sicily in violation of maritime law.  

French Navy intercepted the tanker MT Deliver

It is noteworthy that the French Navy intercepted the tanker MT Deliver on Tuesday as it transited off Sicily's coast in violation of maritime law, marking France's fifth seizure of a suspected shadow-fleet tanker since September 2025. It's the second seizure of a Russian shadow ship this month, following the U.K.'s seizure of a shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel on 14 June.

The evasion of sanctions 

"The evasion of sanctions and the funding of Russia's war effort by the shadow fleet will not be allowed. Europe is determined. It will do everything possible to increase the cost of the war for Russia and enable the emergence of a robust and lasting peace in Ukraine," said Macron. He included a short clip of the boarding action, which featured French military personnel rappelling down from a French Navy Panther helicopter.

A statement of France’s Maritime Prefecture 

In a statement, France’s Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean said that the ship was flying a Cameroonian flag and had come from Primorsk in Russia. The boarding team's examination of the documents confirmed doubts regarding the flag's validity. A report was filed with the public prosecutor in Marseille, who has jurisdiction over maritime matters. The ship has been diverted and is currently being escorted by the French Navy.

The French embassy denies

The Russian embassy in France said the seizure was “another case of piracy” and “illegal and unacceptable from the point of view of international law”. Preliminary information indicated there were no Russian citizens among the crew.  

France and its partners are committed to respecting international law,

"France and its partners are committed to respecting international law, as illustrated by this operation. It was carried out in close cooperation with the European operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI and with our allies, including the United Kingdom," the release stated. France's representative at sea, the Maritime Prefect, is headed by a naval officer and is responsible for maritime safety. The French Joint Staff posted a longer video of the operation, showing the helicopter operating alongside a French Navy warship.

Related: France seizes a ship chartered by Algeria days ago

 The coordination with the French Navy,

EUNAVFOR MED Irini stated on its official social media account that it had coordinated with the French Navy, providing assets to ensure monitoring and supply images and information throughout the operation. As of the time of publication, details of the U.K.'s participation have not been released, but previous seizures by the French Navy in the Mediterranean were supported by the fast patrol boats of the Royal Navy's Gibraltar Squadron, which the movements of the suspect shadow fleet tanker were shadowed and reported by.

Source: USNO news + others Image: Vessel Finder

#EUNAVFOR MED Irini # MT Deliver #French Navy#Emmanuel Macron Russian Shadow Fleet #coast of Sicily #France #Russian embassy